2010 Media Releases

Date:

July 12, 2010

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 402-441-7831

Mayor Presents June Award Of Excellence

Mayor Chris Beutler today presented the Mayor's Award of Excellence for June to a team from StarTran - bus operators Colin Clark and Toni Kent. The monthly award recognizes City employees who consistently provide exemplary service and work that demonstrates personal commitment to the City. The award was presented at the beginning of today's City Council meeting. Clark has worked for the City since 2005 and Kent since 2007. Bus operator Dennis Newman nominated them in the category of customer relations for their assistance to a passenger.

Kent was dropping off the last of her passengers downtown when a man approached the bus and asked about going to a destination on "O" Street. Kent told the man that she was out of service, but another bus would arriving in 30 minutes. The man then began to weep and explained that he had just received word that his mother was about to pass away at the nursing home. He had no other transportation and feared the next bus might not get him there in time. Kent had already decided to take the man in her personal vehicle when she saw Clark in his vehicle across the street. She radioed him and explained the situation. Clark agreed to take the man to the nursing home to see his mother.

Newman writes, "I suspect that the man will long remember the kindness of these two dedicated City employees. In my opinion, they are deserving of the Mayor's Award of Excellence, and it makes me proud to know that I work side by side with such great people."

The other categories in which employees can be nominated are productivity, loss prevention, safety and valor. Consideration also may be given to nominations that demonstrate self-initiated accomplishments or those completed outside of the nominee's job description. All City employees are eligible for the Mayor's Award of Excellence except for elected and appointed officials. Individuals or teams can be nominated by supervisors, peers, subordinates and the general public. Nomination forms are available on the City Web site at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: personnel) or from department heads, employee bulletin boards or the Personnel Department, which oversees the awards program.

All nominations are reviewed by the Mayor's Award of Excellence Committee, which includes a representative with each union and a non-union representative appointed by the Mayor. Award winners receive a $100 U.S. savings bond, a day off with pay and a plaque. Monthly winners are eligible to receive the annual award, which comes with a $500 U.S. savings bond, two days off with pay and a plaque.